Why did the United States accuse Saddam Hussein’s government of supporting terrorist groups?

Following the September 11 attacks, the United States government sought to prevent future threats by identifying an "axis of evil" that included Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. President George W. Bush adopted a doctrine of preemptive war, arguing that the U.S. could not wait for threats to fully materialize.1

The U.S. administration believed that removing Saddam Hussein’s regime would have a "demonstration effect," deterring terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and other potential adversaries from attacking the United States. Officials emphasized that their objective was to look broadly at the international terrorist network to prevent the next attack, rather than focusing solely on those specifically responsible for 9/11. While the U.S. prepared for conflict against Iraq as part of its global war on terror, it is important to note that there was no evidence of collaboration between Saddam Hussein’s government and al-Qaeda regarding the September 11 attacks.12